Town Crier Events: Dec. 4-18

Place: English Congregational United Church of Christ, 301 Rhoades Ave.

There will be an assortment of homemade Christmas cookies, sweet breads and candies.

CORTLAND

Preschool Story Time

Time: 10 a.m.

Date: Every Wednesday and Thursday; next, Dec. 4

Place: Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road

More information: 815-756-7274 or cortlandlibrary.com

For children 3 and older. No registration required.

Crochet Class

Time: 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 4

Place: Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road

More information: 815-756-7274 or cortlandlibrary.com

Evening Story and Craft

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Every Tuesday; next, Dec. 10

Place: Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road

More information: 815-756-7274 or cortlandlibrary.com

DeKALB

Toddler Time

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 4

Place: DeKalb Public Library

More information: 815-756-9568 ext. 250 or theresaw@dkpl.org

Infants, toddlers and caregivers are invited to a morning of stories, songs and a craft.

Free Community Meal

Time: 5 – 7 p.m.

Date: Every Wednesday; next, Dec. 4

Place: Feed'em Soup, 122 S. First St.

More information: feedemsoup.org

For transportation, call 815-293-7433. Diners pay what they can; those who cannot pay can eat for free. Choose from spaghetti with marinara sauce, meatloaf with mashed potatoes or chicken fajitas with rice and beans, all served with soup or salad.

The holiday season, with its focus on good cheer, can be difficult for people feeling sad. The service will include prayers, Scripture and music focused on hope and healing. There will be light refreshments and conversation after the service.

Shop artist and vendor booths, with gift wrapping, seated-chair back massage and live music. There will be a continental breakfast and chili lunch – both meat and vegetarian – on Saturday. There will also be raffles and door prizes both days.

See a number of decorated trees, each with a different Christmas carol theme. Listen to live music, meet Santa and enjoy refreshments.

Country Music Show and Toy Drive

Time: 1:30 – 5 p.m.

Date: Sunday, Dec. 8

Place: Feed'em Soup, 122 S. First St.

More information: 815-762-5589

Live performances of country, bluegrass and gospel music. Performers are welcome to join. Admission is one new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.

Community Yoga

Time: 3 – 4:15 p.m.

Date: Second Sunday of each month; next, Dec. 8

Place: Creative Therapeutics, 400 E. Hillcrest Drive

This is a free yoga class open to the community. No registration required. All ages and abilities welcome. Wear loose-fitting clothing; mats will be provided.

Gurler Holiday Storytelling and Singalong

Time: 4 – 5:30 p.m.

Date: Sunday, Dec. 8

Place: Gurler House, 205 Pine St.

Enjoy the holiday decorations in the historic home, with free punch and cookies, an old-fashioned holiday story, and live music.

Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting

Time: 6:15 – 8 p.m.

Date: Sunday, Dec. 8

Place: Hopkins Park Terrace Room

More information: 815-756-3000

A gentle service held worldwide for parents who have lost a child. Parents may bring photos of their children.

The Link Between Chronic Pain and Mental Health

Time: 6 – 7 p.m.

Date: Monday, Dec. 9

Place: Kish Hospital Roberts Conference Center

More information: 815-748-8962 or www.kishprograms.org

Chronic pain can cause emotional distress and affect your mental health. Learn how to recognize and manage this cycle. Registration is required for this free program.

AWAKE Support for Sleep Apnea

Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Date: Monday, Dec. 9

Place: Kish Hospital Roberts Conference Center

More information: 815-277-3979 ext. 215

Support and education for those living with sleep apnea. Registration is required for this free program.

'Ornamentation Celebration' Upcycling Craft Workshop

Time: 5 – 6:30 p.m.

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 10

Place: Tapa La Luna, 226 E. Lincoln Highway

Cost: $10

Turn old books and photos into new ornaments and learn how to give new life to old decorations. Bring copies of favorite photos. Proceeds support the Green Lens Environmental Film Festival.

Hope at the Holidays

Time: 6 – 7 p.m.

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 10

Place: KishHealth System Hospice

More information: 815-756-3000

A bereavement program for those facing the first year-end holidays after the death of a loved one.

Patient Panel: Living With an Implanted Device

Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Date: Thursday, Dec. 12

Place: Kish Hospital Roberts Conference Center

More information: 815-748-8962 or www.kishprograms.org

A patient panel discussion, led by a cardiologist, about pacemaker and defibrillator implants. Hear the firsthand accounts of people living with implanted devices. Heart-healthy meal provided. Registration is required for this free program.

Breast-feeding Success

Time: 9 a.m. – noon

Date: Saturday, Dec. 14

Place: Kish Hospital Roberts Conference Center

Cost: $15 per couple

More information: 815-748-8962 or www.kishprograms.org

Winter Farmers Market

Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 14

Place: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeKalb, 158 N. Fourth St.

Cost: $1

Locally-grown produce, meats and other foods, homemade baked goods, art and craft vendors, live music and hot food.

No partner needed. Casual dress; leather-soled shoes recommended. There will be a basic lesson at 7 p.m., then social dancing.

Dietitian's Dish

Time: 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18

Place: KishHealth System Cancer Center

More information: 815-748-2958

A clnical dietitian presents food demonstrations for healthy living.

Blood Drive

Time: 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18

Place: Kishwaukee Hospital

Kishwaukee Concert Band: 'Holiday Sounds'

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18

Place: Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, Northern Illinois University Music Building

The Kishwaukee Concert Band presents holiday music and an audience sing-along.

GENOA

Walk-in Blood Pressure Clinic

Time: 9 – 11 a.m.

Date: Wednesdays; next, Dec. 4

Place: KishHealth Family and Specialty Care

A community wellness professional monitors blood pressure weekly. Receive blood pressure information and a tracking card. No registration necessary.

Christmas Craft Walk

Dates: Dec. 5 – 7

More information: 815-508-4925 or pswanson25@yahoo.com

More than 100 crafters will sell their goods at nine locations in the 39th annual craft walk. Maps are available at downtown businesses and at all craft walk stops.

Clothing Collection

Time: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Date: Friday, Dec. 6

Place: 401 W. Main St.

More information: 815-901-5524

Gently-used clothes will be collected for distribution. Please donate clean clothes sorted by size and gender.

Celebrate the Season

Time: 5 – 8 p.m.

Date: Friday, Dec. 6

Place: Downtown Genoa

Santa will arrive in the Jingle Bell Parade. There will be a community tree lighting, carriage and wagon rides, a live Nativity, a petting zoo, face painting, carolers, live music, a storyteller, crafts, raffles, warming fires, food, vendor and charity booths. The skating rink will be open, weather permitting, and Santa will visit with children in his house.

Electronics Recycling Collection

Time: 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Date: First Saturday of each month; next, Dec. 7

Place: City Hall east lot

Items accepted for recycling include anything with a battery or that plugs into a wall; batteries; refrigerators; monitors; scrap metal; cardboard and plastic.

Bingo

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Every Tuesday; next, Dec. 10

Place: Genoa Veterans Home, 311 S. Washington St.

All-You-Can-Eat VFW Breakfast

Time: 7 – 11 a.m.

Date: Third Sunday of each month; next, Dec. 15

Place: Genoa Vets Home, 311 S. Washington St.

Cost: $9

HINCKLEY

Cookie Walk

Time: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 7

Place: St. Paul's United Church of Christ, View and McKinley streets

More information: 815-286-7228 or 815-286-3391

Homemade cookies and candy are $6 per pound. There will also be a bazaar, bake sale and "Grandma's attic treasures."

KINGSTON

Roast Beef Supper

Time: Servings at 5 and 6:15 p.m.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 7

Place: Kingston United Methodist Church, 121 W. First St.

Cost: Adults $9, children $4

Complete dinner, including dessert. Carry-outs and gift certificates are available.

KIRKLAND

Christmas in Kirkland

Time: 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 14

There will be a holiday breakfast from 7-10 a.m. at the Kirkland United Methodist Church. Attendees are asked to donate paper products for the Kirkland Food Pantry. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children 4 and older. Santa will arrive at Alpine Bank at 9 a.m. and will visit with children until 11 a.m. Free horse-drawn wagon rides will be available from 9-11 a.m. Music students from Hiawatha Schools will perform holiday music at the bank. Prizes for student art and essay contests and the holiday home lighting contest will be awarded at 10 a.m. at the bank.

LEE

Pancake and Sausage Breakfast

Time: 7 a.m. – noon

Date: Saturday, Dec. 7

Place: Lee Fire Station

Cost: Adults $6, children $3

Santa will arrive at 10 a.m. and visit with children until noon. Proceeds support the Lee Lions Club's charitable efforts.

Silent Knight Christmas Auction

Time: 5 p.m.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 7

Place: St. James church

Tickets: $10

More information: 815-824-5008, www.silentknightauction.org or b72m@aol.com

There will be a Mexican buffet dinner and silent auction at 5 p.m. The live auction begins at 7 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Visit participating merchants for free sweet treats, plus sales and specials. Visit every stop on the tour and become eligible to enter a raffle for a basket of merchandise from local stores.

Fire & Ice Shopping Event

Time: 5 – 7 p.m.

Date: Thursday, Dec. 5

Place: Blumen Gardens

Roast homemade chocolate marshmallows by the fire and sip champagne while you shop.

Tinctures for Health

Time: 6 p.m.

Date: Thursday, Dec. 5

Place: Sycamore Public Library

Learn to make an herbal tincture to fight cold and flu season. All supplies provided; attendees leave with a sample.

Holiday Cookie and Candy Sale

Time: 11 a.m.

Date: Friday, Dec. 6

Place: Federated Preschool, 612 W. State St.

More information: 815-764-9473

Cookies are $6 a pound in this major fundraiser for the preschool.

'Polar Express'

Time: 4 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday

Date: Dec. 6 – 8

Place: Sycamore Theater

Free screening of this animated family film.

Blood Drive

Time: 3:30 – 7 p.m.

Date: Friday, Dec. 6

Place: Sycamore High School

Walk With Santa

Time: 4 – 6:30 p.m.

Date: Friday, Dec. 6

Place: Downtown Sycamore

Midwest Museum of Natural History will host children's activities from 4 to 5:30 p.m. while children await Santa's arrival. Stomp Shoes will offer children treats during the same time. Santa will arrive at the Sycamore Theater at 5:45 p.m. and will walk with children at 6 p.m. to the courthouse, where he will light the community tree at 6:30 p.m. and hear children's wishes in his house.

Ronald Klein Retirement Open House

Time: 4 – 7 p.m.

Date: Friday, Dec. 6

Place: DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Ave.

Dorwaldt Family Benefit Dinner

Time: 5 p.m.

Date: Friday, Dec. 6

Place: Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Ave.

Tickets: $10

More information: 815-825-2349 or 815-757-0979

A spaghetti dinner to help offset the medical and related expenses of Greg Dorwaldt of DeKalb, who is battling Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

Pancake Breakfast Benefit for Tornado Victims

Time: 6 – 11 a.m.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 7

Place: The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. John, 26555 Brickville Road

Cost: Adults $7, children 3-12 $5

Proceeds will support relief efforts in tornado-stricken areas of Illinois, through Lutheran Church Charities.

A discussion of the short story "The Greatest Gift" by Philip Van Doren Stern, and the movie it inspired, "It's a Wonderful Life."

WATERMAN

Walk-in Blood Pressure Clinic

Time: 9 – 11 a.m.

Date: Thursdays; next, Dec. 5

Place: KishHealth Family and Specialty Care

A community wellness professional monitors blood pressure weekly. Receive blood pressure information and a tracking card. No registration necessary.

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Time: 7 – 11 a.m.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 14

Place: Waterman Community Building

Cost: Adults $7, children 4-12 $4.50

More information: 815-751-5751

This breakfast by the Waterman Lions Club and Boy Scout Troop 39 includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee, milk and orange juice. Proceeds support local charities and projects.

Waterman House Walk

Time: Noon – 4 p.m.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 14

Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 the day of the walk

More information: 815-517-8071 or plrogers50@yahoo.com

Waterman Winery will provide a complimentary bottle of holiday spiced wine to ticket buyers 21 and older, while supplies last. There are five homes on the walk; some will offer refreshments. Horse and wagon rides will be offered from 12:30-3:30 p.m.; rides are $3 for adults and $2 for children and seniors, and begin and end at the Waterman Presbyterian Church. Advance tickets are available at Simply IRZSTBL, Waterman State Bank, 1803 Candles and Waterman Winery. Day-of tickets will be available at the Clinton Township Community Building.